The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on December 17 successfully launched their 42nd communication satellite, CMS-01, on board the PSLV-C50 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) at Sriharikota.
The CMS-01 satellite will have a life span of at least seven years, according to ISRO. The PSLV-C50 launcher lifted off from the Second Launch Pad of SDSC-SHAR at 3.41 pm, and after a flight of 20 minutes and 12 seconds, injected the satellite into its intended orbit. After injection, the solar panels of CMS-01 were automatically deployed and ISRO’s Master Control Facility at Hassan assumed control of the satellite.
In the coming days, orbit raising maneuvers will be executed to position the satellite in the geostationary orbit at its designated location. The CMS-01 communication satellite is envisaged to provide services in extended C-band frequency and the coverage will include the Indian mainland, Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. This band is mostly used for satellite communications and full-time satellite TV networks and is also used for weather radars, wi-fi devices and radio LAN.
ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Sivan appreciated the efforts of both the satellite and launch vehicle teams in realizing this mission amidst the coronavirus pandemic. This was ISRO’s last mission of 2020. Speaking about the upcoming PSLV-C51 mission, Dr. Sivan said, “The mission will be the fruition of the space reforms recently introduced in the country.” CMS-01 carries three satellites built by private entities, Sivan added.
Satellite communication experts say the C-band microwave radio frequency is less susceptible to absorption of signals by atmospheric rain, snow or ice, and signal losses, which are especially prevalent at frequencies above 11 GHz, which is the Ku band.
The PSLV-C50 is the 52nd flight of PSLV and 22nd flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 strap-on motors) which was used to launch Chandrayaan-1 in October of 2008. This was the 77th launch vehicle mission from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota and is India’s 42nd communication satellite.
Article source: The New Indian Express